The Phenomenal Double Haven Can Stay Self-Sufficient for Six Months at Sea

Imagine taking a private cruise with the sole purpose of tracking the cherry trees in Japan as they blossomed, going from the South to the North of the country, or cruising all the way to Alaska just to find out what it's like to fish there, in total privacy, and doing all of that while being totally pampered onboard, and indulging in the finest luxuries. This is what it's like to own your full-custom superyacht and why Double Haven was born.

At the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, when effective isolation became a priority, some millionaire yacht owners drew criticism after bragging about staying safe onboard their fabulous pleasure craft in wonderful locations. Long before that, the mysterious billionaires who would become the owners of Double Haven were looking for a floating mansion in the true sense of the word, which would also boast outstanding autonomy at sea. They wanted to explore the world in the most luxurious way possible, in total privacy and comfort for most of the year – what more could any billionaire wish for?

The right amount of money can bring any dream yacht to life. The only problem is time. It took a long time just to lay out all the requirements for what would be a highly unique superyacht, and four years after that, to look both at the used market and top yacht builders. Finally, the future owners selected Feadship, one of the most prestigious builders, in 1991. In December 1993, Double Haven was delivered and ready to embark on its maiden voyage to Antigua.

The main requests for Double Haven had to do with both the design and its capabilities. In terms of comfort, it had to feature a private owner's deck (basically an enormous apartment with luxury amenities) and cut noise and vibration as much as possible. In terms of performance, the yacht had to be an ocean-crossing beast that could handle being at sea for up to six months without any infrastructure or outside support.

Feadship's De Voogt naval architects built a 167-footer (51 meters) that checked all the boxes. At the same time, the Glade Johnson Design studio turned it into a sophisticated floating residence fit for a billionaire family. Since the couple wanted to live onboard Double Haven during extensive trips, with no access to ports, the entire upper level was turned into a self-contained home.

The private owner's deck offers access to a huge master bedroom, a luxury bathroom, and a fully-equipped business office. The outdoor area includes lavish seating areas, cozy dining spots, and a separate area aft deck for dining in the open air. The bedroom is like a high-end cocoon, with features such as a large flat-screen TV that pops out from the foot of the bed and a private jacuzzi in the en-suite bathroom that also offers spectacular 180-degree views.

The owners specifically requested maximum privacy, which is why the crew traffic is entirely separate from the guest areas – one uses the port side, while the others are accessed via the starboard side.

The salon on the main deck is just as impressive. During the day, it dazzles with the glamorous, sophisticated décor, perfectly framed by the enormous windows on each side. At night, it magically turns into a party club. The center of the room reveals a large, illuminated dance floor. A state-of-the-art sound system and adjustable lighting enhance the party atmosphere.

All the guest cabins are located on the lower deck. Double Haven can accommodate up to 14 guests. When traveling at full capacity, it brings a large crew of 15 people onboard. The sun deck reveals a second jacuzzi (one that's available for all the guests) flanked by sun beds. The spacious beach club doubles as a diving platform that also connects to a watersport center on the same deck. Guests have access to a modern gym, a massage room, a helipad, and two bespoke tenders.

The tenders are an important part of Double Haven's autonomous capabilities, allowing those onboard to reach secluded areas and smaller ports during long journeys. In addition to that, the yacht combines ample storage with increased fuel (34,000 gallons/128,500 liters) and water (9,960 gallons/37,700 liters) capacity. Coupled with robust Caterpillar engines, this ensures an impressive transoceanic range and the ability to spend long periods of time at sea, even during Pacific crossings.

In fact, Double Haven claims to be the first Feadship to boast this impressive transpacific range. Its ultra-luxurious owner's deck and comfortable amenities also set new standards at the time. According to Nick Spence, who was the project manager and the vessel's Captain during the first eight years, this exceptional yacht was also kept in great shape. The generators are replaced whenever it's needed, and the electronic systems are regularly upgraded to keep up with all the digital trends. The twin engines did a great job for three decades and continue to be just as reliable.

Unlike other owners of bespoke superyachts, who quickly go from one toy to the next, Double Haven's original owners held on to it for thirty years – a remarkably long time, during which this floating mansion used its self-reliant abilities to the fullest, traveling all around the world. However, the younger generation is ready to part with this family treasure and move on.

Double Haven, this self-sufficient masterpiece that was never chartered in 30 years, is currently looking for a new owner. Given its outstanding capabilities and unique layout, it could almost be considered a bargain at €25 million ($27.5 million). Hopefully, its future owner will fully appreciate Double Haven's adventurous spirit and use this ocean-going mansion well.